Location: 60 km South of Cairns

The Russel River is located 60 kilometers to the south of Cairns in Northern Queensland, Australia. From Cairns, rafting companies shuttle guests down the Bruce Highway to the township of Mirawinni. The headwaters of the Russel River lie in the shadow of Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest peak, just outside of Mirawinni.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV / Beginner – Intermediate

The Russel River is rated Class IV. It is what some people refer to as a “descent” river, as opposed to a “pool drop” river, meaning that its rapids are fairly continuous, with non-stop whitewater ranging from Class I to Class IV. No experience is necessary, but it is definitely a more adventurous run for the beginner rafter!

Canyon: Narrow Rainforest Gorge with Dark, Basaltic Rocks and Cascading Waterfalls

An experience on the Russel River is much more than just rafting. The day begins with a short 45-minute hike down to the river on a rainforest track that used to be an Aboriginal fishing trail. Once down on the riverbank, rafters get a chance to swim in crystal clear waters while guides blow up boats and rig all the necessary gear. After loading into boats, three hours of continuous rafting takes visitors through exciting rapids like “Pinball”, “The Three Stooges”, and “Rollercoaster”. Midway through the day, the boats pull over and boaters walk single-file through a small rock corridor to emerge in the middle of a thundering waterfall. Later in the day, the river narrows and flows through a small, steep-walled, basaltic gorge. Guides will sometimes stop at certain points to take advantage of great spots for rock jumping and for swimming in quieter currents.

Season: Year-Round

Whitewater rafting trips are available on Australia’s Russel River year round! The only exception is December 25th, Christmas Day.

Location: 20 Minutes Drive from Cairns

The Barron River is situated just 20 minutes drive north of Cairns in Northern Queensland, Australia. It’s course winds through Barron Gorge National Park and the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of the Atherton Tablelands. Rafters put on the Barron River just downstream of famous Barron Falls, a 230-meter high waterfall that is considered a sacred site by the indigenous Djabugay people.

Level of Difficulty: Class III / Beginner

The Barron River is rated Class III, making it a very accessible way to experience some of the more remote beauty of Barron Gorge National Park and the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics. Minimum age on this river ranges from 10 to 13 years old. This is a great choice for families or beginners!

Canyon: Rainforests of Mount Hypipamee National Park

Originating in the rainforests of Australia’s Mount Hypipamee National Park, the Barron River flows first across the Atherton Tableland through one of Australia’s highest elevation rainforest belts before entering the dramatically incised confines of Barron Gorge. Rafters get to float through some of the world’s oldest rainforest and past numerous waterfalls while enjoying the intimacy of a rugged and dramatic gorge. Surrounded by such a diverse landscape, the Barron River provides plenty of opportunity for unique wildlife sightings, including tree-kangaroos, spotted-tail quolls, the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly, and, on rare and special occasions, the endangered Cassowary bird. Whitewater rapids with names like “Rooster Rail”, “Cheese Churn”, and “Hells Gate” ensure plenty of excitement to go along with all that sightseeing.

Season: Year-Round

The Southern Hemisphere’s summer (December – February) is the most popular time for rafting, however trips are available throughout the year.

Location: Alberta, Canada

Less than an hours drive from Calgary or Banff in the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

Beginning whitewater enthusiasts looking for a fun introduction to the thrills of rafting or those seeking ample opportunity to fully absorb the beauty of the surrounding river canyon will enjoy the gentle flows of the Kananaskis.

Scenery: Abundant wildlife and flora

Nicknamed “K Country,” this perfect mountain setting in one of the Rockies best kept secrets. Dense evergreens cover the foothills and occasional quaking Aspen groves line the river bank. Bears, elk, white-tailed deer, and harlequin ducks are just a few of the many animals that inhabit the river valley. A profusion of wildflowers can be seen in late June and early July and there is also an amazing variety of songbirds in the area.

Season: May – October

Rafting adventures are offered on the Kananaskis River throughout the Summer and Fall.

Location: 2.5 hours northeast of Vancouver, British Columbia

The Nahatlatch River is tucked between Nahatlatch Provential Park and the Fraser River near the town of Lytton.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-IV+ / Beginner – Intermediate

The best whitewater run in B.C. The Nahatlatch’s varied and exciting rapids show off its amusing character with names like “Rose Garden,” “Twisted Sister,” “Lose Yer Lunch,” and “Pinball.” Early rafting in May and July is best for experienced rafters however later in the season when the flows have calmed, the water is great for all levels.

Scenery: Pristine, crystal-green water and Hoodoos

Bald eagles soar in the thermals and bighorn sheep perch against a backdrop of glacier-capped peaks. Raft along steep canyons and sandstone Hoodoo (eroding geologic formations) viewing parts of the historic Caribou Wagon Road from the comfort of a river raft.

Season: May – August

During the early part of the season, in May and June, the white water is more challenging, but as the season progresses into July and August, rafting on the Nahatlatch River is perfect for all ages and skill levels.

Location: 1.5 hours southeast of Calgary in beautiful Kananaskis Country.

Originating in the Rockies and moving south along the Kananaskis Trail, the Highwood river meets the Bow River south of Clagary.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Beginner – Intermediate

Challenging action packed adventure for novice and intermediate whitewater enthusiasts. The river twists and turns through shale canyons causing a torrent of undulating waves and walloping drops.

Scenery: Deep emerald pools, high alpine setting

Known as much for its rafting as for scenic fly-fishing, Highwood river has an unrivaled abundance of bull trout and other fish species. Its banks are surrounded by lush spruce and lodgepole pine forests and views of the Rockies’ peaks add to the stunning backdrop of the river canyon.

Season: May and June

Rafting is best in early summer months when fresh snowmelt brings ample whitewater to this free-flowing river.

Location: Banff, Alberta, near Banff National Forest

Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River near Banff, Alberta in Canada is an exciting and fun outdoor adventure. Located near Banff National Park, one of Canada’s most popular travel areas and Banff National Forest, a scenic view is not hard to find.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-IV+ / Beginner – Intermediate

Numerous rapids such as, “Roller Coaster”, “Last Waltz”, “Goat Rapid” and “Twin Peaks” fill the Kicking Horse river canyon that are certain to leave you bursting with laughter and whooping with delight. The most famous rapids in the area, the mile-long “Portage” and “Shotgun” rapids are full of continuous, fast-paced whitewater. This section of class IV to IV+ rafting is a true heart racing adventure.

Scenery: Tons of wildlife in a shale canyon

The varied course of this river has wide, calm class II sections perfect for viewing wildlife such as marmot, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain bluebirds. Even more unusual critters like the northern Pika (a smaller relative of the rabbit with long ears, many whiskers and no tail) and the American Dipper (the only truely aquatic songbird) can be seen when there is time to put down the paddle. If you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of the elusive wolverine. In fast paced class IV sections, the canyon narrows, the whitewater churns and the river is surrounded by sculpted corridors and steep shale side walls.

Season: June – September

Once the snow melts in the Canadian Rockies, continuous flows provide solid whitewater through the summer months.

Location: Three hours from Vancouver and Whistler, travel northeast to the town of Lytton

The longest river in British Columbia, the Fraser begins in the Rockies near Mt. Robson and continues its decent all the way to the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-IV+ / Beginner-Intermediate

One of B.C.’s most spectacular large volume corridors. The Fraser is known for challenging whitewater like the world famous “Hell’s Gate” rapid.

Scenery: Natural Heritage River

Designated a Natural Heritage River in 1998, it flaunts unmatched scenic wilderness in all of North America. Holding the title of Canada’s longest river, during spring snowmelt it carries more water than the Mississippi River and is home to the largest Salmon run in the world.

Season: August – September

Rafting trips on the Fraser River are available at the end of the summer.

Location: Close to Banff, Canmore and Calgary in southwestern Alberta.

The Bow river begins in Banff National Park and within the park Lake Louise contributes to its headwaters.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Beginner – Intermediate

The powerful hydrolics and big drops create thrilling and exciting whitewater for the true adventurer.

Scenery: Shale canyons, dense riparian riverbanks

The Bow River begins its decent from Bow Glacier high in the Canadian Rockies. It makes it way through the high elevation and down into Horseshoe Canyon. Home to over 260 species of birds, the dense plant growth along the river’s edge makes for prime birdwatching. The name for the Bow River, in fact , came from the use of the reeds growing along the rivers side as bows by the indigenous First Nations peoples. Rainbow and Brown trout are especially plentiful in this waterway.<

Season: Mid-May through mid-September

Snowmelt from the Rockies provides great opportunity for rafting in late spring through the summer.

Location: Three hours from Vancouver, near the town of Lytton.

The entire Stein river from the watershed to the confluence with the Fraser river is protected within Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park. Called the “hidden gem” for good reason, you must reach the Stein by plane or by foot…no vehicles allowed in the Park.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV-V / Intermediate-Advanced

“Down the Drain,” “Touching the Void,” “Notch Waterfall,” names of rapids often give not-so-subtle hints about the intensity of their drops and hydraulics. With at least thirty continuous class IV-V rapids and no calm sections and an extreme portage around “Devil’s Staircase”, this run is not for the faint of heart. This river needs a boat full of true whitewater adventurers.

Scenery: untouched forest, protected wildlife region

Incredible whitewater in an amazingly beautiful wilderness canyon. On your hike to the put-in, ancient pictographs can be seen on rock outcroppings signifying Stein valley as the spiritual home of the First Nation peoples. The canyons provides habitat for grizzly bears, cougar and bighorn sheep.

Season: August

Stein River rafting trips are only offered for a brief period of time each year, usually during the month of August.

Location: Border of British Columbia and Alberta

The Thompson River starts its flow to the Pacific in the Rocky Mountains near the BC/Alberta border. However, the two rivers take completely different paths as they cut their way through the harsh mountainous terrain. The Thompson, which is 303 miles long, flows south and west into the interior and joins the Fraser River at Lytton. Three hours from Vancouver, near the town of Lytton.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-IV+ / Beginner – Intermediate

Twenty-five rapids with death defying names like “Devil’s Cutting Board,” “Jaws of Death” and “the Cauldron” are encountered while traveling through steep-sided canyons and gorges. Though seemingly not for the faint of heart, the time of year you choose to raft will vary the intensity of the whitewater on the river.

Scenery: Desert-like, spawning fish playground

Warm Chinook winds breeze through B.C.’s interior river canyon creating a drier desert-like climate that makes summer rafting on the cool, crisp water even more inviting. The largest tributary of the Fraser river, it is a varitable highway for spawning Sockeye, Chinook, Coho and Pink salmon. The clear green water of the Thompson converges with the churning brown water at the confluence of the Fraser and creates a mixing whirlpool for more than a mile downstream.

Season: April – September

Thompson River rafting trips are offered during the summer months when the snow has melted and the weather is warm.